research reports
ENVIRONMENT
Manufacturing Climate Solutions: Residential Re-Insulation |
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August 2009 Durham, NC |
With 46 million underinsulated homes in the United States, an expanding re-insulation market could save energy and create U.S. jobs for contractors, insulation installers, distributors, manufacturers, and material suppliers. This report is part of the Manufacturing Climate Solutions series. Residential Re-Insulation 
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Hybrid Drivetrains for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks |
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June 2009 Durham, NC |
The United States is well positioned to take the lead in hybrid commercial trucks, a new, fast- growing market that promises future U.S. jobs in truck manufacturing, advanced energy storage, electronics, and software. This report is part of the Manufacturing Climate Solutions series. Hybrid Drivetrains for Medium- and Heavy Duty Trucks
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Carbon Capture and Storage: A Post-Combustion Capture Technology |
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May 2009 Durham, NC |
Chapter 8 of the Manufacturing Climate Solutions report focuses on carbon dioxide capture and storage technologies. These technologies will allow the U.S. to continue using fossil fuel for power generation while also achieving national goals to reduce CO2 emissions. These billion dollar projects also present huge U.S.-based employment opportunities in fields ranging from R&D to manufacturing and construction. Carbon Capture and Storage
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Manufacturing Climate Solutions: Recycling Industrial Waste Energy |
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February 2009 Durham, NC |
Many industrial processes discard exhaust heat, combustible gases, and other “waste” energy. These highly recoverable resources can be harnessed to generate electricity, thus saving energy costs, reducing CO2 emissions, creating new jobs, and protecting existing jobs by increasing productivity and competitiveness. Recycling Industrial Waste Energy
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Manufacturing Climate Solutions: Heat Pump Water Heaters |
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February 2009 Durham, NC |
Current residential heat pump water heater products are add-on units used in conjunction with conventional storage tanks and they are produced by a handful of very small U.S. companies. The recent introduction of ENERGY STAR water heater criteria appears to be incentivizing some larger appliance manufacturers to develop new heat pump water heater products that will be more widely available. If consumer interest in heat pump water heaters increases, the market would need to scale up significantly to meet greater demands, opening greater opportunities for U.S. component manufacturing in the value chain. Heat Pump Water Heaters
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A Value Chain Analysis of the U.S. Beef & Dairy Industries |
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February 16, 2009 Durham, NC |
Livestock farms are a major source of greenhouse gases. Certain practices in feeding and manure management can reduce these and other environmental impacts, but how do you encourage 967,440 U.S. farms, ranches and feedlots to adopt these best practices? We find that the strongest leverage for effecting such change lies in the downstream players in the value chain. U.S. Beef & Dairy Industry Report
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Manufacturing Climate Solutions: Super Soil Systems |
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November 2008 Durham, NC |
Super Soil is not yet commercially available, but it is an example of a technology that could potentially be widely adopted. The adoption of this or similar technologies would involve manufacturing jobs producing large tanks. Additional manufacturing jobs would be needed to make the equipment, along with the associated requirements for steel, glass, concrete, and other materials, and construction jobs to build the facility. This new technology for treating hog wastes could allow the United States to become a global market leader in a sector where, until now, no adequate alternative has been available. Super Soil Systems
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Manufacturing Climate Solutions: Concentrating Solar Power |
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November 2008 Durham, NC |
Concentrating solar power (CSP) represents a clean, powerful, endless, and reliable source of energy with the capacity to entirely satisfy the present and future electricity needs in the U.S. The new market for concentrating solar power plants has potential to create numerous U.S. manufacturing and construction jobs as U.S. companies grow and foreign firms come to the United States. Concentrating Solar Power
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Manufacturing Climate Solutions: Auxiliary Power Units for Trucks |
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November 2008 Durham, NC |
Integration of auxiliary power units into long-haul truck manufacturing in the near future will likely increase penetration rates dramatically, with a corresponding boost to manufacturing. Expanded production of APUs would create economic opportunity at all stages of the value chain by increasing purchases from material and component suppliers. Additional value chain opportunities will likely come when APU technology is integrated as a component in tractor manufacturing rather than being an aftermarket product. Auxiliary Power Units for Trucks
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Manufacturing Climate Solutions: High-Performance Windows |
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November 2008 Durham, NC |
High performance window technology is well developed, and widespread use of these more efficient windows is leading to demand for even better performance. The U.S. industry faces new, more stringent efficiency criteria that may spur manufacturers to retool production lines and further innovate. Over the course of criteria changes, jobs may have to develop more efficient products. The ability of companies to respond to criteria changes may determine which companies will benefit and which will struggle to compete. High-Performance Windows
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Manufacturing Climate Solutions: LED Lighting |
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November 2008 Durham, NC |
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are a semiconductor technology whose application to general-purpose lighting is rapidly growing, with significant potential for energy savings. The market for general-purpose LED lighting is currently very small, but it is growing rapidly as the technology improves and costs go down. Leading U.S. manufacturers find it crucial to ensure high quality and to protect their innovations--two good reasons to keep the manufacturing close to home. LED Lighting
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A Value Chain Analysis of the U.S. Pork Industry |
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October 3, 2008 Durham, NC |
Over-use of antibiotics in hog production poses the risk of creating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, seriously threatening human health. Reducing antibiotic use, however, poses challenges to hog farmers. By analyzing the value chain, we can better understand the industry’s dynamics, preparing the way for further work to find ways of protecting public health that also make good business sense. U.S. Pork Industry Report
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A Value Chain Analysis of Selected California Crops |
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July 4, 2008 Durham, NC |
California is the most diversified agricultural economy in the world, generating more agricultural value than many countries. In the value chains for two selected crops—grain corn and processed tomatoes—we identify the players positioned to encourage environmental best practices. EDF California Crops Report
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An Analysis of the U.S. Real Estate Value Chain |
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April 22, 2008 Durham, NC CGGC |
The Environmental Defense Fund is known for partnering with lead firms to find green solutions that make good business sense. Recognizing that buildings account for 40% of U.S. energy consumption, EDF asked CGGC to analyze the U.S. real estate industry and find key firms that are well-positioned to find innovative business practices to reduce building energy use. Among the report's key findings: * In the finance segment of the value chain, there is greater leverage on the equity side than on the debt side. In other words, when it comes to working with building owners and developers, investors have greater influence than lenders * The greatest energy-saving potential in the value chain lies in a) companies that own and operate real estate, and b) firms that either invest in them or manage property for them. EDF Real Estate Report EDF Report: Appendices
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